I'm a UK real estate agent and since 2008 I have been trying to sell a house for a couple one of which is a US citizen and has returned there, and she has people renting the house.

She has consistently ignored my advice on price (its too high) but by good luck I have found someone with cash in the bank willing to pay her price. She is now putting obstacles in the way of selling.

She basically said she's not really bothered if the house sells and that she's only left it on the market as she is on some kind of benefit or medicare and that if its not on the market then its viewed as an asset she could move to.

Now what annoys me is that we charge a fee on the successful sale of the property, but that basically on the understanding that people actually want to sell rather than having a hidden agenda and letting us spend money on printing postage, advertising and taking time out of our schedule to show people round without any intention of actually selling it.

I would dearly love to know if it sounds about right that she's just been using us to get benefits. We are a small family run business times are hard, I can do without people wasting my time and money, I'm livid about what seems to be a selfish attitude.

Her ex-husband is also angry that she's putting in outrageous conditions (time scales) which no buyer would agree to. While it will reflect badly on her in divorce proceedings that doesn't help anything.